Joy Calais Kennedy

Breaux Bridge - Joy Calais Kennedy, died peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2025, surrounded by family at her home in The Woodlands, Texas.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at a Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2 in Breaux Bridge.

Visitation will be at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM.

Father Garrett McIntyre will be the celebrant of the Funeral Mass.

A native of Breaux Bridge, Joy was the oldest of three children. Survivors include her husband, Jim Kennedy of The Woodlands, with whom she shared 27 beautiful years; her sister, Sherry Calais McLeod and her husband, Max McLeod, of Breaux Bridge; her brother, Ricky J. Calais and his wife, Debbie LeBlanc Calais, of Breaux Bridge; two nieces, Aly McLeod Finch and Claire Calais Broussard (Colby); three nephews, Jonathan McLeod, Ross Calais (Stephanie), and Kyle Calais (Jeanne); and nine great nieces and nephews, Paige, Sophia, Carter, Christian, Parker, Louis, Abram, Henry and Arthur. Joy is also survived by her stepfamily, whom she cherished as her own: step-children, Karen Kennedy Day (Brad), Lee Ann Kennedy Dover (David), and David Kennedy (Samantha), and her treasured step-grandchildren, Lesley, Abby, Lindsey, Aidan, Amelia, and Annabelle.

Joy is preceded in death by her parents, Rene Joseph Calais and Hazel Frederick Calais.

Joy was a graduate of Breaux Bridge High School. After moving to Houston in 1982, she worked for the Goodrich Operating Company until she retired in 1998. Joy and Jim married in 1997. The couple built a beautiful life of love and adventure, traveling, making lifelong friends, and embracing every moment with gratitude and affection. Their bond was one of deep devotion and enduring happiness. Whether traveling the Seine in France or the backroads of East Texas, they were one another's constant and faithful companions. Their love for each other is a shining example to their friends and family. That love is her lasting legacy, as she had a special place in her heart for her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and stepchildren.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan McLeod, Ross Calais, Kyle Calais, Colby Broussard, Christian Finch, Carter Broussard, and Parker Broussard.

Donations can be made in her honor to the St. Bernard School Foundation, 251 E. Bridge Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517.

Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.